--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not an answering machine, I'm a…" description: "\"I'm not an answering machine, I'm a questioning machine. If we have all the answers, how come we're in such as mess?\" — Douglas Cardinal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/douglas-cardinal-73802_answering-machines_i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-quest_1920950.jpg" --- # I'm not an answering machine, I'm a questioning machine… ![“I'm not an answering machine, I'm a questioning machine. If we have all the answers, how come we're in such as mess?” quote by Douglas Cardinal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/douglas-cardinal-73802_answering-machines_i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-quest_1920950.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/douglas-cardinal-73802_answering-machines_i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-quest_1920950.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/douglas-cardinal-73802_answering-machines_i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-quest_1920950.jpg) > “I'm not an answering machine, I'm a questioning machine. If we have all the answers, how come we're in such as mess?” Douglas Cardinal ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It suggests that questioning is essential; assuming we have all answers leads to confusion and mess. **In simple terms:** Questioning prevents complacency and chaos. Key Takeaway Embrace curiosity and keep questioning. Themes curiosity humility critical thinking Mood inquisitive thought‑provoking Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - leadership - innovation - conflict resolution Key Concepts epistemology problem solving self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions are you making? - How does questioning improve outcomes? A Different Perspective Assuming certainty can blind us to hidden problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Questioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/questioning/) [Truth Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-seeking/) ## Related quotes > [“I believe leaders should be questioning machine, rather than an answering machine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saji-ijiyemi/i-believe-leaders-should-be-questioning-machine-rather-than-an/) [Saji Ijiyemi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saji-ijiyemi/) > [We've come a long way from having one land line that was forbidden to be answered during dinner. We had no answering machine, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/we-ve-come-a-long-way-from-having-one-land-line-that-was-forbidden-to/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [Texting is a lot like an answering machine. If you don't want to talk to somebody, it's like screening your calls. To me, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-gillick/texting-is-a-lot-like-an-answering-machine-if-you-don-t-want-to-talk/) [Pat Gillick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-gillick/) > [I'm much better at saying something on the answering machine than texting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/igor-levit/i-m-much-better-at-saying-something-on-the-answering-machine-than/) [Igor Levit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/igor-levit/) > [Do you ever leave a message for somebody and the answering machine cuts you off, and you have to decide whether you should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/do-you-ever-leave-a-message-for-somebody-and-the-answering-machine/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [The breakup of Bell laid the foundation for every important communications revolution since the 1980s onward. There was no way of knowing that thirty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wu/the-breakup-of-bell-laid-the-foundation-for-every-important/) [Tim Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wu/) > [Telephone message on his manager's answering machine shortly before dying of heroin overdose: I need help bad, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/telephone-message-on-his-manager-s-answering-machine-shortly-before/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [I'm not good at texting because I'm an older generation, old school. And nobody ever listens to the answering machine anymore. It's terrible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/igor-levit/i-m-not-good-at-texting-because-i-m-an-older-generation-old-school/) [Igor Levit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/igor-levit/) > [“She never opened her mail in the middle of the day. Sometimes she forgot about it for a week or more until people rang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicci-french/she-never-opened-her-mail-in-the-middle-of-the-day-sometimes-she/) [Nicci French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicci-french/) > [You wonder if God doesn't have an answering machine to screen out the prayers of the venal and the boring? And in which category…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/you-wonder-if-god-doesn-t-have-an-answering-machine-to-screen-out-the/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [I remember a few years ago I was sitting at home with my wife watching the Oscars. I was sitting on the couch and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/i-remember-a-few-years-ago-i-was-sitting-at-home-with-my-wife/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) > [Like most people, you listen to yourself on the phone or an answering machine and you're like, 'Ugh.' So to do something with just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/like-most-people-you-listen-to-yourself-on-the-phone-or-an-answering/) [Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/) > [I think people who aren't in film experience that when they hear their voice on an answering machine or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-think-people-who-aren-t-in-film-experience-that-when-they-hear/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I'm definitely a child of the 21st century and I prefer texting to phone calls, but I would prefer an answering machine over all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-dooling/i-m-definitely-a-child-of-the-21st-century-and-i-prefer-texting-to/) [Brendan Dooling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-dooling/) > [Fax me a fact and I'll telegram a hologram or telephone the son of man and tell him he is done. Leave a message…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-williams/fax-me-a-fact-and-i-ll-telegram-a-hologram-or-telephone-the-son-of/) [Saul Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-williams/) ## More by Douglas Cardinal > [If you're going to dream, why dream small?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-cardinal/if-you-re-going-to-dream-why-dream-small/) Douglas Cardinal > [We are limited only by our lack of creativity. Our buildings should symbolize the exuberance of a free nation that encourages individual effort and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-cardinal/we-are-limited-only-by-our-lack-of-creativity-our-buildings-should/) Douglas Cardinal > [We are now becoming more aware of our links to the universe and are reaching out to the universe for knowledge. We are evolving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-cardinal/we-are-now-becoming-more-aware-of-our-links-to-the-universe-and-are/) Douglas Cardinal Explore all 4 Douglas Cardinal quotes ## More Answering quotes > [I follow a simple formula when I compose. I ask myself, 'What would the audience want to hear?' and 'Why would they buy my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/i-follow-a-simple-formula-when-i-compose-i-ask-myself-what-would-the/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [“The wrong approaches to faith and to skepticism are equally detrimental to the path. For the former declares its answers too soon and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-wrong-approaches-to-faith-and-to-skepticism-are-equally/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Life is a question paper. who answering correctly, he or she will never born again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diyasena/life-is-a-question-paper-who-answering-correctly-he-or-she-will-never/) Diyasena > [All the charges you enumerate have been made with one purpose in mind-to place our office on the defensive and make us waste valuable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-garrison/all-the-charges-you-enumerate-have-been-made-with-one-purpose-in-mind/) [Jim Garrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-garrison/) > [At first I'm sort of answering everything the way you're 'supposed to' answer, and I lost a bunch of followers... I was like, 'What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hoffman/at-first-i-m-sort-of-answering-everything-the-way-you-re-supposed-to/) [Rick Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hoffman/) > [I don't mind doing interviews. I don't mind answering thoughtful questions. But I'm not thrilled about answering questions like, 'If you were being mugged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-ford/i-don-t-mind-doing-interviews-i-don-t-mind-answering-thoughtful/) [Harrison Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-ford/) > [When I heard his first songs, Dylan was answering certain questions that I had all my life been asking myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nana-mouskouri/when-i-heard-his-first-songs-dylan-was-answering-certain-questions/) [Nana Mouskouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nana-mouskouri/) > [I have a friend of mine who does me on his answering machine, and when I call him, I answer. It's pretty strange.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/i-have-a-friend-of-mine-who-does-me-on-his-answering-machine-and-when/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) > [Question only make some sense; but Answering will making some friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/question-only-make-some-sense-but-answering-will-making-some-friends/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think communication is key, too. You're answering all the questions. Thank you. I'll just sit back here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-moore/i-think-communication-is-key-too-you-re-answering-all-the-questions/) [Mandy Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-moore/) > [I interact with my fans mostly through Twitter, and I like to do livestreams about every two weeks, where I say, 'Ask me anything!'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-g/i-interact-with-my-fans-mostly-through-twitter-and-i-like-to-do/) [Becky G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-g/) > [“She never answers during the day," Max explained. "She lets her machine pick up." People like you are the reason other people get answering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-russo/she-never-answers-during-the-day-max-explained-she-lets-her-machine/) [Richard Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-russo/) > [- With respect, Professor McGonagall, I'm not quite sure you understand what I'm trying to do here. - With respect, Mr. Potter, I'm quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/with-respect-professor-mcgonagall-i-m-not-quite-sure-you-understand/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [Science is increasingly answering questions that used to be the province of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/science-is-increasingly-answering-questions-that-used-to-be-the/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [A dream is the mind's way of answering a question it hasn't yet figured out how to ask.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/a-dream-is-the-mind-s-way-of-answering-a-question-it-hasn-t-yet/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) Browse all 99 Answering quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not an answering machine, I'm a questioning machine. If we have all the answers, how come we're in such as mess?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Douglas Cardinal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-cardinal/i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-questioning-machine-if-we-have-all/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Answering" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-cardinal/i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-questioning-machine-if-we-have-all/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/douglas-cardinal-73802_answering-machines_i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-quest_1920950.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/douglas-cardinal-73802_answering-machines_i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-quest_1920950.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/douglas-cardinal-73802_answering-machines_i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-quest_1920950.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm not an answering machine, I'm a questioning machine. If we have all the answers, how come we're in such…” — Douglas Cardinal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Douglas Cardinal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-cardinal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm not an answering machine, I'm...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-cardinal/i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-questioning-machine-if-we-have-all/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-cardinal/i-m-not-an-answering-machine-i-m-a-questioning-machine-if-we-have-all/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```